WBUR Newsroom Election 2008 CommonHealth Blog Boston Weather BBC World News NPR Top Stories NPR's Morning Edition NPR Topics: Books NPR Topics: Movies Fresh Air All Things Considered Marketplace Submit a Story Idea RSS Feeds Podcasts Home Dis-Improvement By Curt Nickisch Listen to story (Real Audio) BOSTON - July 18, 2008 - Harvard University researchers say the weak economy is hurting the home improvement business. WBUR's Curt Nickisch reports. TEXT OF STORY: NICKISCH: More and more Americans are deciding against remodeling the kitchen, finishing the basement or just the new paint job. By early next year they'll spend eleven percent less on home improvement projects than they do now, according to Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies. Kermit Baker compiled the numbers and says no one feels like putting money into a place when the value keeps going down: BAKER: No end in sight at present in terms of when this market's gonna turn around and start to see growth again. NICKISCH: Baker says the forecast is not as bad in New England as it is in California, Florida and the Southwest.    From The WBUR Newsroom Obama's Acceptance Speech DENVER, CO (August 29, 2008) Barack Obama has formally accepted the Democratic Party's nomination to run in the presidential race. Convention Notebook Day 5 DENVER, CO (August 29, 2008) "Snapshots, moments burned in:" That's how WBUR's Bob Oakes remembers conventions and campaigns. In his Convention Notebook today, Bob reflects on his outstanding memories of the 2008 DNC. The Dukakis Perspective DENVER, CO (August 29, 2008) 20 years ago, Michael Dukakis was the Democratic candidate for president. Now this year's convention is over, we talk with him about what Barack Obama and Joe Biden need to do to win the general election. Previewing the DNC Finale DENVER, CO (August 28, 2008) WBUR's Bob Oakes joins us live from Mile High stadium, where, tonight, Democrats will cap off their 2008 convention with a speech by the Party's nominee, Barack Obama.